LTE-A is still a novelty. It's barely available worldwide (only a handful of countries have it running or only testing it), so I don't see it being a big deal. That being said it is possible they include LTE-A chip in the 5s, just don't be surprised if they don't.

LTE has only been seriously accepted and developed worldwide for a year or so, and LTE-A is not much faster, and therefore doesn't offer a much better experience. (Really, how much faster is 150 Mbps compared100 Mbps - all theoretical of course).

Not an most places worldwide it can't. Hell Passbook here is next to useless.

NFC is a technology that has an interesting future as long as it supports existing payment schemes in use throughout the world. Well over 50% of my purchaces use my credit card with a swipeless technology, so having the ability to use my iPhone (with additional security of requiring it unlocked or fingerprint image) to draw on my bank balance, or a fund "stored on my iPhone", would be a great thing here.

As for LTE-A, probably not in this iPhone, but maybe next year I'd say there is a chance then

Im gonna be ticked if NFC doesnt come to iPhone 5S. People have been begging for this feature

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I don't think NFC has really taken off. In the UK at least, there's a few ads that mention their app using it like the banks, but the majority of shops have yet to incorporate NFC for payments. It's not all that widespread yet, and I'm not sure it ever will be.

Granted some people want it, but the majority of the market don't seem to care. The fact it's still quite insecure also doesn't help. Looks to me like NFC had its chance!

Passbook has been mentioned. Also Bluetooth can accomplish this as well.

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With Bluetooth, don't you have to go through the whole "pairing up" process between the devices?

I can't imagine using any payment service where I have to stand there for 1-2 mins waiting for my phone to pair up with the payment device at the cash register, then verify the pin codes match, then complete the pairing, and then can finally send my payment. With NFC, you just swipe and go. Is that even possible with Bluetooth?

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